Which lawn type is best for me?
So what exactly does an “alternative lawn” look like?
“Alternative lawn” is a term that covers a wide range of landscaping choices — if it isn’t a traditional grass lawn, it’s an alternative lawn. There’s a lot of different types of alternative lawns, and these can be sorted into a few different categories. Each type has its own pros and cons and meets different needs for different homeowners.
The major types of alternative lawns fall into one of three categories:
No-Mow Lawns
No-mow lawns are the easiest type of alternative lawn to create. The name says it all: just stop mowing and let nature take over. There’s still some pruning that needs to be done for an environmentally friendly yard, though: invasive species (which vary from region to region) need to be weeded out to keep the ecosystem healthy. But this is still less effort (and less pollution) than mowing and watering your lawn regularly.
No-mow lawns are great for homeowners who don’t have the time or money to make large-scale changes to their yard but still want to cut down on cost and provide a habitat for local wildlife. But homeowners’ associations might not be too friendly about them (see help for approaching HOAs here!), and not all climates are suited for wild grasses.
Sarah Baker talks about her no-mow lawn journey in an article on Chicago Tribune here.
Tapestry Lawns
Tapestry lawns keep the same height as a traditional mowed grass lawn without the lawn mower. These lawns use a variety of naturally low-lying plants, including mosses, clovers, herbs, flowers, and different types of grasses to replace a yard’s grass with a tapestry of colorful flora. These lawns are customizable with species local to your area, and mowing is optional (though some styles recommend moving a few times a year).
Tapestry lawns are great for homeowners who want an outdoor space that’s usable but not heavily landscaped. It’s great for homes with kids or outdoor pets. It does require removal of all the old turf, though, so it’s a little more time and/or money intensive than a no-mow lawn. You’ll also need to find a list of plants that are native to your area for you to use (find organizations that can help you out with that here).
Grass-Free Lawns has great information about tapestry lawns on their site here.
Landscaped Yards
Landscaped yards are perhaps the most flexible type of alternative lawn. These yards eliminate the need for grass or a grass replacement altogether, instead opting for a more decorative approach. These yards can include a variety of plants both big and small, outdoor living space with room for chairs, a grill, or fire pits, and flower, herb, or vegetable gardens. What you include is up to you and your needs.
Landscaped yards are definitely the most expensive and time-intensive option. You’ll either need to hire a landscaper or put in your own hours of effort to give your yard a total overhaul. But the end result is worth it, giving you a yard that extends your living space into nature. Landscaped lawns are especially good for dry climates as they lend themselves to water-friendly landscaping techniques known as xeriscaping.
Eartheasy has a great source of information about xeriscaping here.
Of course, you don’t have to use just one of these methods in your own lawn. These styles can be combined with one another or with a partial grass lawn. Maybe having a tapestry lawn out front but a no-mow lawn in the back works best for you. Or maybe you want to keep some areas of traditional grass lawn but replace some areas with landscaping and gardens. Even a small step can make a big difference for your local ecosystem — and your wallet.
To learn more about how to start the switch to your chosen style of alternative lawn, check out the How do I start the switch? page.
See citations for all information on this website here.